Huntsville AL vs Mesa AZ — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Huntsville, AL
Alabama · Population: 218,814
- Median HH Income$70,778
- Median Home Price$288,707
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+46.2%
Mesa, AZ
Arizona · Population: 507,478
- Median HH Income$78,779
- Median Home Price$435,670
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntsville
218,814
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntsville
N/A
Mesa
N/A
Median Age
Huntsville
36.4
Huntsville +
Mesa
37.2
Foreign Born
Huntsville
6.6%
Mesa
11.2%
Mesa +
White
Huntsville
58.4%
Mesa
69.7%
Mesa +
Black
Huntsville
29.7%
Huntsville +
Mesa
4.4%
Asian
Huntsville
2.0%
Mesa
2.5%
Mesa +
Hispanic
Huntsville
8.1%
Mesa
26.6%
Mesa +
Spanish at Home
Huntsville
N/A
Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,814 | 507,478 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 37.2 | Huntsville + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 11.2% | Mesa + |
| White | 58.4% | 69.7% | Mesa + |
| Black | 29.7% | 4.4% | Huntsville + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 2.5% | Mesa + |
| Hispanic | 8.1% | 26.6% | Mesa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntsville
$70,778
Mesa
$78,779
Mesa +
Per Capita Income
Huntsville
$44,733
Huntsville +
Mesa
$39,586
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntsville
$51,690
Mesa
$59,120
Mesa +
Unemployment Rate
Huntsville
4.3%
Huntsville +
Mesa
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Huntsville
13.8%
Mesa
10.5%
Mesa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntsville
46.2%
Huntsville +
Mesa
31.5%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,778 | $78,779 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,733 | $39,586 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $59,120 | Mesa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.6% | Huntsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.8% | 10.5% | Mesa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 31.5% | Huntsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntsville
$288,707
Huntsville +
Mesa
$435,670
Homeownership Rate
Huntsville
58.1%
Mesa
64.3%
Mesa +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $288,707 | $435,670 | Huntsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 64.3% | Mesa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
400
Huntsville +
Mesa
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
1734
Huntsville +
Mesa
2150
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 450 | Huntsville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2150 | Huntsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
40.7%
Mesa
30.7%
Mesa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.7%
Mesa
10.6%
Mesa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntsville
16.4%
Mesa
15.5%
Mesa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
9.6%
Huntsville +
Mesa
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
14.2%
Huntsville +
Mesa
16.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.6%
Mesa
11.4%
Mesa +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 30.7% | Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 10.6% | Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 15.5% | Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 13.0% | Huntsville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 16.1% | Huntsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 11.4% | Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
62.1°F
Huntsville +
Mesa
71.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
54.3 in
Mesa
11.7 in
Mesa +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 71.8°F | Huntsville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.3 in | 11.7 in | Mesa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntsville
8.8 µg/m³
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Mesa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntsville
75.0%
Mesa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntsville
21.0 min
Huntsville +
Mesa
26.7 min
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 26.7 min | Huntsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mesa leads in median household income at $78,779, while huntsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $288,707. On public safety, Huntsville is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Mesa. Huntsville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Mesa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Mesa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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